The afikra Podcast Photographer Yumna Al-Arashi: Yemen, Identity, and Challenging Perceptions
A captivating episode with Yemeni-Egyptian artist Yumna Al-Arashi who discusses her upbringing in Washington D.C., the impact of the 2017 executive order (often referred to as the "Muslim ban") on her family, and how her art explores themes of identity, feminism, sexuality, healing, and human rights, frequently challenging the misrepresentation of Muslim women in Western media. Al-Arashi delves into her projects, including her first solo exhibition in Switzerland "Tears For The Future," her film "99 Names of God," and her powerful book "Aisha," which examines facial tattooing traditions from South Arabia to North Africa and the Sahara. She also shares her thoughts on self-portraits, the discomfort her work can evoke, and the importance of authorship and challenging orientalist desires in art.
0:00 Growing Up Egyptian-Yemeni in Washington D.C.
0:09 The 2017 Executive Order and Its Impact
0:49 The Salt Project: Healing and the Vulnerability of Movement
7:13 Childhood George Bush’s America
10:04 Growing up in Washington D.C.
12:05 Balancing Complexity and Tropes in “99 Names of God”
19:09 The Evolution of Resistance in Art
21:29 Filming “99 Names of God” in Oman and References to Yemen
22:50 Introducing the Book “Aisha”
23:55 the Connection Between Al-Arashi’s Projects
24:50 Reclaiming Narratives and Challenging Colonial History
28:20 The Importance of Authorship
32:23 The History and Meaning of Facial Tattoos
36:58 The Awkwardness and Power of Self-Portraits
Yumna Al-Arashi is a Yemeni-Egyptian artist, photographer, filmmaker, and writer born and raised in Washington, D.C. She studied International Politics with a focus on the Middle East at The New School. Her work, which is often self-taught in photography, explores themes of identity, feminism, sexuality, and human rights, frequently challenging the misrepresentation of Muslim women in Western media. Her notable works include the award-winning short film "The 99 Names of God" (2018) and the monograph "Aisha," which documents the ancient art of women's facial tattooing in North Africa and West Asia. Her photography has been featured in publications and exhibitions worldwide, and she has received support from organizations such as the International Women's Media Foundation and the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture. She has lived and worked in various locations, including New York, Los Angeles, London, and Zürich.
Connect with Yumna Al-Arashi 👉 https://instagram.com/yumnaaa
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